Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema)

Red List Team (BirdLife International)

Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema)

5 thoughts on “Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema)

  1. Dear IUCN Red List,
    I am writing to provide additional information regarding the conservation status of the Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema), a bird species that is endemic to Ethiopia. As a concerned conservationist with a deep understanding of the local ecosystem, I would like to emphasize the urgency of the situation facing this species.
    The Moorland Francolin, endemic to Ethiopia, is currently listed as near threatened; however, recent evidence suggests that its population has rapidly declined. It is important to note that the exact population size of the Moorland Francolin is unknown, which further complicates conservation efforts and underscores the need for immediate action.
    Given the rapid decline and the unknown population size, it is imperative that the IUCN Red List assessment accurately reflects the precarious situation of the Moorland Francolin. The endemic status of this species in Ethiopia adds to its conservation significance, as it represents a unique and irreplaceable component of the country’s biodiversity.
    I consider to the specific threats facing the Moorland Francolin in region Ethiopia, including habitat loss, overgrazing and conversion for agriculture, and the potential impacts of climate change. The assessment should underscore the need for targeted conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat, as well as the necessity for further research to determine its population size and distribution.
    It is crucial that the IUCN Red List accurately represents the conservation status of the Moorland Francolin in Ethiopia, reflecting the rapid decline and the unknown population size, and serves as a call to action for conservation initiatives to ensure the survival of this endemic species.
    Sincerely,
    Asrat Aero
    PhD candidate in wildlife management and ecology at Jimma University, Ethiopia

  2. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 12 February 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 12 February 2024, when discussions will re-open.

  3. Preliminary proposal

    Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2024 Red List would be to list Moorland Francolin as Near Threatened under Criteria A2c+4c.

    The comment by A. Mamo indicates that there is evidence of a recent population reduction. This is key information to help inform the assessment and we hope this can be shared promptly. A rapid reduction is a cause for concern given the relatively restricted distribution and the species’ specialism on a patchily distributed moorland habitat. On a precautionary basis our initial interpretation is that a reduction may be occurring at a rate that approaches threatened thresholds, as previously assessed.

    There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 18 February 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.

    The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.

  4. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 26 February 2024.

  5. Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN

    The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Moorland Francolin is recommended to be listed as Near Threatened under Criteria A2c+4c.

    Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will now be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.

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